NFL Top Performers - Week 1

Tim Eisenhut

09/11/2007

Week 1 is over and in the books. We've compiled and wrapped up the week with this week's NFL Top Performers column. See below for compiled stats and in-depth analysis...and check back each Tuesday as we'll continue to break down the stars all season long!

QUARTERBACKS

Dallas QB Tony Romo shook off last season's playoff loss with a huge outing in game one of the 2007 season...Romo finished with 345 passing yards and 5 total TDs (one rushing) in a solid victory over the NY Giants at home on SNF. Eli Manning looked sharp in the same SNF game with 4 TDs, but it came at a cost with Manning leaving in the 4th quarter with an ailing shoulder...conflicting reports have Manning missing a month or longer. Big Ben Roethlisberger only completed 12 passes in a victory, but 4 of his passes went for TDs. Tom Brady demonstrated why I have him ranked as the number one fantasy QB this season...Brady went 22 of 28 for 297 yards and 3 TDs in a very strong performance (146.6 passing rating) to begin the season. Jon Kitna made the most of his talented WRs (Roy Williams / Calvin Johnson) and threw for 289 yards and 3 Ts (2 INTs). Peyton Manning had 3 passing TDs and 288 yards in an overwhelming victory over the Saints on TNF. Jake Delhomme threw for 3 TDs in a win over the St. Louis Rams and proved why he's still a fantasy player. Josh McCown threw 2 INTs, but he also threw for 313 yards and 2 TDs in a nice effort against the Lions...McCown was 30 of 40. Denver was outplayed by the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, but somehow still pulled out the victory...Jay Cutler threw for over 300 yards and one score in the game.

Top Fantasy Quarterbacks
- Week 1

QB

Pass Comp

Pass Att

Pass Yards

TDs

Tony Romo

15

24

345

4, 1(run)

Eli Manning

28

41

312

4

Ben Roethlisberger

12

23

161

4

Tom Brady

22

28

297

3

Jon Kitna

27

36

289

3

Peyton Manning

18

30

288

3

Jake Delhomme

18

27

201

3

Josh McCown

30

40

313

2

Jay Cutler

23

39

304

1

RUNNING BACKS

Super-Rookie Adrian Peterson showed college football his talents and now is demonstrating why he will be a stud in the NFL. Peterson went for 163 total yards and a TD in a fine first start for the Minnesota Vikings...much to the delight of his fantasy owners who had him in their starting lineup. LaMont Jordan's versatility (to the tune of 159 total yards and a TD) was an admitted surprise in Oakland this weekend...so don't trade Peyton Manning for him just yet. Joseph Addai (definitely no surprise here) showed why he will finish in the top 3 of fantasy RBs this season...Addai put up 143 total yards and a score as the Colts primary back on TNF. The preseason fantasy MVP (LaDainian Tomlinson) had trouble getting things going against the tenacious Chicago Bears D Sunday, but got things done in an unconditional manner to finish with 2 TDs for the game (albeit only 25 rushing yards and one of LT's TDs was a pass). Travis Henry certainly looked healthy on Sunday...he was 23 for 139 with an additional 44 receiving yards to finish with 183 total yards for the game. Chris Brown showed why he should be the number one RB in Tennessee as he rushed for a whopping 175 yards on Sunday. Shaun Alexander is back in form and commented he feels better than he did in 2005...Alexander put up 117 yards and a score in a win against the Bucs on Sunday. Derrick Ward isn't on fantasy radars, but he may be now with the game injury to NYG's Brandon Jacobs...Ward took over to finish with 116 total yards and a score in a solid effort against the Cowboys. Edgerrin James was a lone fantasy bright spot (and only because he had 28 touches) in the Cardinals loss to the Niners...Edge finished with 112 total yards and a TD. Marshawn Lynch was extremely impressive and did not look like a rookie in Buffalo...Lynch bullied his way to 90 rushing yards and a score in a tough loss to the Denver Broncos. Clinton Portis went 17 for 98 and a score for the Washington Redskins. Marion Barber put up 94 total yards and a TD in the win shootout win for the Dallas Cowboys over the Giants on Sunday Night Football. Tatum Bell was impressive for the Lions with 87 rushing yards and a score. Brian Westbrook (Mr. Versatility) had 131 all-purpose yards against the Pack, but was unable to find the endzone. Fast Willie Parker was fast enough to rush for over 100, but was held scoreless. DeShaun Foster split some with DeAngelo Williams for Carolina, but still put up over 100 total yards in the win over the Rams.

QB Eli Manning may be out for a month or more with a separated shoulder suffered in Sunday night's game, but not before proving his groove with tall, talented wide receiver Plaxico Burress. Burress caught 8 passess for 144 yards and 3 TDs in a sensational effort against the Cowboys. Just WHY were people questioning/downgrading Randy Moss in fantasy circles this preseason?...I certainly wasn't! Moss proved them all wrong with his huge 9 receptions for 183 yards and a TD against the Jets in week 1. My number one predicted WR for 2007 (Reggie Wayne) didn't disappoint on TNF where he had 2 TDs and 115 yards on 7 grabs. Terrell Owens is ready for 2007 and started off right with 2 TDs on SNF. Andre Johnson caught 103 balls last season and started off in week one with 7 catches for 142 yards and a TD...Matt Schaub is well on his way to helping Andre be a top fantasy WR this year. Ronald Curry (from Josh McCown) surprised some with a 10 catch / 133 yard / 1 TD performance against the Lions. Laveranues Coles had 2 TDs against the Pats. Superstar Steve Smith went 7 for 118 with a score against the Rams. Antwaan Randle El caught 5 for 162 yards, but was held out of the endzone. Chad Johnson got all of his 95 yards (and TD) early in the game with the Ravens on MNF. Shaun McDonald caught 6 for 90 with a score, but is not on many fantasy rosters...at least not yet. Top WR Marvin Harrison had 83 yards and a TD in the Colts TNF win over the Saints. Drew Carter had only 3 catches for 19 yards, but two of his grabs were touchdowns. Torry Holt looked healthy on Sunday...healthy enough to catch 8 balls for 73 yards and a score. Javon Walker had 9 receptions for 119 yards from QB Jay Cutler in the Broncos win over the Bills.

Top Fantasy Wide Receivers
- Week 1

WR

Rcptns

Rec Yards

TDs

Plaxico Burress

8

144

3

Randy Moss

9

183

1

Reggie Wayne

7

115

2

Terrell Owens

3

87

2

Andre Johnson

7

142

1

Ronald Curry

10

133

1

Laveranues Coles

7

59

2

Steve Smith

7

118

1

Antwaan Randle El

5

162

0

Chad Johnson

5

95

1

Shaun McDonald

6

90

1

Marvin Harrison

4

83

1

Drew Carter

3

19

2

Torry Holt

8

73

1

Javon Walker

9

119

0

TIGHT ENDS

TE Jason Witten went off on SNF with 6 catches for 116 yards and a TD. Antonio Gates stayed to form against a top Bears D with 9 grabs for over 100 yards (and a score). Heath Miller, Justin Peelle, Benjamin Watson, and Matt Spaeth all had scores for their respective teams with minimal catches/yardage. Kellen Winslow caught 89 balls last season and started this year off right with 4 receptions for 83 yards (although was held from scoring). Dallas Clark and Eric Johnson each had a nice game, but both were held scoreless.

Top Fantasy Tight Ends -
Week 1

TE

Rcptns

Rec Yards

TDs

Jason Witten

6

116

1

Antonio Gates

9

107

1

Heath Miller

4

35

1

Kellen Winslow

4

83

0

Justin Peelle

2

12

1

Benjamin Watson

2

9

1

Matt Spaeth

1

5

1

Dallas Clark

2

48*

0

Eric Johnson

8

57

0

*Clark also had one carry for 14 yards

News and Notes - After pretty much an injury-free preseason with no significant fantasy injuries to start the season, week one has taken its toll: Eli Manning will be out at least a month with a separated shoulder, Ray Lewis may have suffered a torn triceps and may miss the season, D.J. Hackett will miss an undetermined amount of time with a high ankle sprain, Orlando Pace is done for the year and will have the whole Rams team reeling, Brandon Jacobs will miss extended time with a sprained knee, Cadillac Williams will miss a week or two with bruised ribs, Mike Brown suffered a season ending torn ACL and is a huge blow to the Bears defense, and the list goes on...JaMarcus Russell signed a 6-year/$61 million dollar contract today, but likely not in time to add any fantasy value this season...The Patriots were accused of stealing signals (again) - and this time the camera aimed at the Jets sideline was confiscated and will be reviewed by the league (which could result in a lost draft pick if proven true)...The Indianapolis Colts dominated the Saints on TNF and convinced many that they are again the team to beat in the NFL...Randy Moss proved he's in New England with future hall of famer Tom Brady to produce and make it to the Superbowl - Moss had 183 yards on 9 receptions in pro-bowl performance from both Brady and Moss...Alex Smith and the 49er offense looked horrible on MNF against a weak Cardinal D (despite the late Niner win) - Arizona QB Matt Leinart & A. Smith combined for only 29/59 for 228 yards plus 1 TD and 2 INTs in the game...LaDainian Tomlinson and Steven Jackson (ranked #1 and #2 in nearly every RB fantasy preseason poll) combined for 35 carries for just 83 yards!?!?! - quite possibly the extensive preseason injury avoidance for the two star running backs is keeping them from an early football groove?!?...Sadly, Kevin Everett (TE for Bills playing on special teams) suffered an on-field injury during a kickoff in the Broncos/Bills game in Buffalo and is likely to incur long-term paralysis